Tulare Land Use Public Forum ready

As Tulare County's population continues to swell and as farmers continue to toil producing food, who wins and who loses in the race for water and land? That question and a host of others will be explored at the Tulare County Land Use Public Forum set for March 6 at the Visalia Holiday Inn.

The event begins at 8 a.m. and includes lunch at 11:45. Cost for the forum, which is open to the public, is $25.

A host of experts will provide insightful comments during the forum, including Richard Cummings of the Great Valley Center who will address the south valley's future in terms of population, income and housing. Lloyd Fryer of Kern County Water Authority and Bruce George of Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District, will discuss water for urban and agriculture users now and into the future.

California Secretary of Resources Mike Chrisman, will detail the nearly 30-year-old Rural Valley Lands Plan, which has helped Tulare County determine suitable uses for rural lands. Chrisman will present and discuss a challenging question: Is the RVLP still a valid planning tool?